It's OK to say "No"
One of the most common things I hear from people is "I do not know how you find the time to do it all". The truth is, it is hard. I work a full time job with rotating shifts. I am lucky to have a schedule where I have many days off and off days during the week ... but I also work some weekends, I work long shifts and I may go into work at 6am one day and the next day go into work at 4 pm or in at 2 pm or... you get the idea.
When I first started Fischer Busby Designs, it was easier. I was doing custom orders and they were enough to keep my self occupied but not so much that I felt underwater. As I have grown and now have merchandise in stores and have more opportunities with my art... the more I found that I was neglecting other areas of my life that I love. I wasn't running, I wasn't swimming, I wasn't playing as much with the dog. I was only painting and working. AND FORGET HOUSEKEEPING. One day I looked around and things were just a mess, I was just behind on everything! Finding something that you love and are passionate about can really shift your life out of balance. Balance is important, friends. You HAVE to have balance.
So, slowly I've been making a few changes in life to help and laying down some boundaries to get my life in balance. I thought I would share them, because Im certain that Im not the only "out of balance" entrepreneur out there.
1. Cut back where you can. I had the luxury of being able to cut back on my work hours. My job offers a "three-fourths time" option where I do not lose my benefits... but it involves a pretty significant pay cut. BUT ITS LESS HOURS. I weighed it all out and decided the pay cut may be worth the balance. Now, I am aware that this is not an option for everyone. I did say it was a luxury... but if you have the option for a little less income and more sanity... think about it.
2. Use your time wisely. I learned a bit ago that if I go into work at 2pm, despite having time in the morning off, I do not need to use it for painting. Why? Well because when it comes time to shower, pack lunch and go to work, I'm in the middle of something great and I don't want to stop. This results in no packed lunch, showering and going to work with wet hair and, well... makeup is always optional, really. Then, if I want to eat, Ill have to pay $10 for bad food... and well, remember the above pay cut? I will confess, I ended up going to the real job hungry, with wet hair and no makeup on more than 50 occasions. What I have learned is to use mornings to put finishing touches on almost completed pieces. Maybe they need a splatter of paint or maybe they only need a signature but its something quick. I also take photos of artwork for instagram posts and edit them on these mornings. Along the same lines, if I get off at 12a (as I did tonight) the two hours it takes me to wind down before I can sleep, I use to write blogs. Or reply to emails.
3. Limit your internet time. I actually got this one from a friend. Take one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening for emails, and social media updates and then put it down. Why? Because the internet is wonderful, but it is also a time waster. The next thing you know you've watched twenty five painting videos and are on your second glass of wine. Now don't get me wrong thats a nice evening!!! but set time aside for that.
4 Treat working from home like it is a job... because it is. Yes painting is my passion, but when you are making commitments, it is a job. On my off days from "the real job" I make a schedule for the "art job". I set aside hours where the phone is off, where I do not receive/return texts and I paint or package or whatever business task needs to happen. After those hours are done I stop working. Because you cant work all the time. You have to set boundaries to get all the tasks done in other areas of life. Spending time with my husband, running with my dog and keeping an organized home is important to me too. Therefore, I "clock out" at a certain time.... mostly ;)
5. Set time aside to continue your passion and grow. This is a big one for me. I haven't been painting long and Ive been selling things almost as long as Ive painting. That means that I have learned while painting for others. In other words, I didn't know I could paint a sunflower, until some one asked me to and I had to figure it out. I can say the same about most everything I painted for the first two years or so.. I've discovered, however that I need time to paint the things that I want to paint. Try the things that I want to try: explore new mediums, new colors, new techniques. So, I make sure to set aside a week or currently a month where I do not accept custom orders and I paint for myself. Remember before it was a job, it was a passion. This time to recharge is always exhilarating. Sometimes those pieces sell, which is a fortunate turn of events., but they were not created to sell. They were created to create and that is different.
6. It's ok to say no. Oh, this one is hard for me in the "Art Job". I do not struggle with it in any other facet of my life, but the "Art Job" is a different story. Maybe its because I really love painting and creating for others? Maybe its because I am so happy and honored that someone would ask me to paint for them? Maybe its because Im trying to grow a little business? I actually said no for the first time this week. I was asked to address wedding envelopes for someone who needed them pretty quickly. I looked at the "Real Job" schedule and then at the "Art Job" schedule, and it was really impossible. Then I said "No"... and then I re-checked my schedules and tried to figure out how I could possibly make it happen... fretting... wanting to so bad... but in the end, knew that even IF I was able to get them done, they would not be done well. They would be rushed and sloppy. So, I had to say "No". I obviously am still struggling about it or there would not be a blog post about it. To keep balance in my life, I said "No". and It's ok.
"I dont know how you do it all". The truth is, I can't do it ALL, but what I choose to do, I want to do really well. To do that there must be balance. So, I will continue to read others blogs to pick up tips and listen to those who have gone before me and have more wisdom...and surround myself with people who remind me to seek balance in life and love me. I encourage you all to do the same!!
Mardi Gras
6 x 8 acrylic watercolor, and ink on watercolor paper in a ornate acrylic frame. (SOLD)